Andy P
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Post by Andy P on Nov 30, 2014 18:48:27 GMT
I'd be interested to hear other folks experiences and recommendations with regard to acquiring and maintaining a decent set of fingernails for plucking. I have fairly brittle nails and this can be most frustrating. I've tried false extensions and acrylic coatings at the local nail bar, both with limited success (although I do enjoy the craic with the ladies ). I also ordered a do-it-yourself extension kit which was a disaster, much to the amusement of my wife and daughter. Due to various bits chipping off I've had to pare them right down so I'm waiting impatiently for them to grow again, whilst coating them with copious amounts of hardener. From what I have seen, most pickers seem to use a combination of fingernails and thumb-pick. If this topic has no doubt been widely debated already somewhere in the forum, someone might like to kindly direct me to the appropriate thread rather than go through it again. Thanks.
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alig
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Post by alig on Nov 30, 2014 19:15:27 GMT
Hey,
Have a look on the North American Guitar website. Michael Watts (a member here) posted a video about nail care and what works for him.
Here, I'm sure Jonny Mosco mentioned he got his done professionally.
I'd post the links but the work 'computer' is playing up...
Good luck.
Alasdair.
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ocarolan
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Post by ocarolan on Nov 30, 2014 23:04:57 GMT
Andy P - haha, just replied on F/B about this Andy. But I just seem to be blessed with strong nails. Tend to have only one or two disasters a year - usually at crucial moments of course. I tend to keep them around 2-3mm beyond the end of the fingerpads. I should trim them more frequently than I do as they often get beyond this. I use graded emery boards to shape them, and always make sure the ends/edges are buffed really smooth. My thumbnail is about 4mm beyond the pad, but I don't use it that much, preferring a Fred Kelly Speed Pick. Discovered these a year or two ago and love them - the first ones I've tried that I can use unmodified. Prior to that I used Dunlop or Planet Waves thumbpicks but always shortened them a lot and thinned down. Can't abide fingerpicks, so I do need my nails there! I've never used any kind of artificial nail or stuff applied to my nails apart from an occasional tiny bit of Superglue + or - epoxy if there should seem to be a split developing. Don't like doing it as the tone changes if the nail is stiffened up too much, but it's better than losing a chunk off the end. I'm always careful when indulging in "hazardous" activities and often wear gloves for gardening/diy if at all possible. Sorry I can't help more - reckon I'm just lucky! Keith
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leoroberts
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Post by leoroberts on Dec 1, 2014 7:38:41 GMT
I'm useless at looking after my nails. I try and keep them so that they just extend a little beyond the end of my fingers but they usually get left to grow longer than that. Mine are really weak, too, Andy P, but I don't do any special treatments, nor have I used falsies. Unlike ocarolan I don't wear gloves when doing DIY or gardening - I just don't do DIY or gardening When the inevitable occurs I just spend a couple of weeks playing strummage, or bouzouki/mandolin until they're fingerpickable length again... And it's a thumbpick all day long for me.
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Phil Taylor
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Post by Phil Taylor on Dec 1, 2014 9:31:49 GMT
I have never had any nails to play guitar with, always been a flesh man Having said that I recently, in fact after the Michael Watts video, managed to stop my biting my fingernails habit. I now file them to keep them reasonable but as soon as they start touching the strings I cringe - can't stand the feel or the sound for that matter. Personal preferences I suppose............ Cheers Phil
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Post by fatfingerjohn on Dec 1, 2014 13:40:03 GMT
I used to break nails regularly and it was a real downer as I fingerstyle in preference. I never got on with picks and like to use nail and flesh together rather than flesh only. I now find
--as you get older I think your nails get thicker and stronger; mine have anyway. So I break a lot less frequently. Get the occasional split down. One of the (very) few advantages of older age? --It helps as Leo says by avoiding gardening and diy and when pushed into it, wearing gloves when possible --For a deep split I do dab a tiny bit of superglue on; I've tried many other things and superglue works well; but try to limit it to the split line if you can and don't cover the rest of the nail. I find a superglue application lasts a few days and with care I can keep fingerstyling until the nail grows back; file the end lightly every day to avoid snags whilst its growing back. --I now have the time (not much needed) and inclination to take more care of my nails; I'm sure the biggest problem was letting them get too long which encouraged snagging them. I now lightly emery board them at least every other day; just a smidgeon but keep them a good shape. I also think the heat caused by regular emery boarding helps to fuse the ends a bit. --I've tried nail-strengthening stuff, including 'horses hooves' but don't really think they have made any noticeable difference.
John
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Post by Banadog on Dec 1, 2014 17:29:57 GMT
Over the years i've tried all kind of things without much success, until I started taking glucosamine tablets(not to strenghten my nails) after a few months I began to notice my nails were no longer breaking, and a split nail that I'd had for fifteen years had repaired itself. Now I haven't had a broken nail for nine months, and they seem to grow much quicker. The glucosamine tablets I use are the cheapest I can find on ebay.
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Andy P
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Post by Andy P on Dec 1, 2014 17:30:05 GMT
Many thanks for your responses, most kind of you all (especially Keith who has replied twice!) I just watched the video. That four-sided jobbie looks the business for keeping what I do hold on to nail-wise in tiptop shape. Rather annoyingly the fingernails on my right (picking) hand are by some accident of birth or genetics markedly narrower than those on my left. The profile of each nail is thus more curved which seems to render them more liable to splitting. Phil I guess if you play enough you will build up slight callouses on your fingertips, which clearly works well for the likes of Tommy Emmanuel. Like John I find what works best for me is nail and fingertip together. Unlike you though John, my nails have become more brittle (though that may well be because I had undiagnosed Coeliac disease for many years, leading to a calcium deficiency). Avoid gardening and DIY? I need a note for my wife (along the lines of Andy can't do Games today as he has a chill). Nail and Hoof or whatever it's called has never done anything to strengthen my nails. I don't see how it can do that. I shall call into the nail bar and see what gear they have in the filing/buffing department. Meanwhile I've ordered a couple of Fred's thumbpicks. Thanks again!
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Andy P
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My main instrument is: Taylor 312ce, Guild D25, Deering 5 string banjo
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Post by Andy P on Dec 1, 2014 17:31:42 GMT
Banadog I just saw your message. I've had glucosamine recommended by others for achey knees, so if it helps with nails too, I'm going to get some. Thanks.
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Post by creamburmese on Dec 1, 2014 18:22:24 GMT
I have the best nails I've ever had currently (touch wooden things here). When I first started playing classical guitar it seemed like nails might be a good idea.... So I tried a bunch of stuff after I went cold turkey on nibbling the nails of my right hand (there's akways the left hand after all). But they always seemed to chip out and I could never get them beyond the end of my fingers. To cut to the chase I think that the glucosamine chondritin MSM and biotin supplements have made my nails grow faster and more flexible ...biotin is a well known supplement for hair and nails .... Not to mention the tendinitis in my left hand disappeared - And the onymrrhe stuff I painted on the nail bed religiously every night for 6 months may have had something to do with it too, though I'm currently phasing that out in the hope I don't have to buy any more. The problem is that the most effective things take many months until the nail grows out to the active end so it's a slow process figuring out what may help. I can say the only chipping I've had since the nails grew out was when I applied nail hardener (ie hard as nails varnish) in an effort to look pretty (!) and within 12 hours I'd destroyed a couple of nails. From this I conclude that flexibility is a component of their current longevity and all nail hardeners are henceforth banished. I also make a point to smooth out any roughness I feel with the smooth side of one of those 4-sided jobs Very regularly. I do play mostly nylon string which may be a factor though in point of fact my nails actually survive better with steel string than with nykon....
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missclarktree
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Post by missclarktree on Dec 1, 2014 19:53:55 GMT
I've been experimenting with superglue and tissue paper, not too successfully, but my latest idea is Micropore self-adhesive tape with Bostick or some other type of cellulose glue painted on. It's not waterproof and it would have to be reapplied each day, but at least it shouldn't damage the nails when it comes off.
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007
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Post by 007 on Dec 1, 2014 19:57:57 GMT
Interesting, does anyone know what the classical/flamenco guitarists use . Perhaps this is the answer
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Post by peterh on Dec 2, 2014 11:20:56 GMT
I often sound as if I'm wearing gloves... BUT I do have an idea about nail strength, you can use a brush on liquid that feeds , strenthens and softens at the same time, from "Amazing Nails 4 Guitarists" sorry no link...
Definately worth having a look cos they have different applications for different styles / guitars
Bye for now Peter.
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brianr2
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Post by brianr2 on Dec 2, 2014 16:20:43 GMT
One other thought: it may be a coincidence but I have far fewer problems since I started using a glass nail file. It gives a smoother finish and seems to make the nail ends less prone to tearing. These files also last forever, with an occasional rinse under the tap.
Brian
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Andy P
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Post by Andy P on Dec 2, 2014 20:00:25 GMT
Thanks for your further contributions folks. Interesting point that applying hardener may be counter-productive by rendering the nails more brittle. Sounds reasonable. I found Amazing Nails 4 Guitarists. There's a veritable industry out there! I'm going to try meticulous filing and smoothing, coupled with some supplements and see how I get on. It ain't gonna happen overnight though. Obviously. Thanks again.
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